The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-05-06

and how l strove 10 find out what it was
that now felt impelled to do. My brain
seemed on fire, my temples throbbed as
though they would burst, and strange buzz
Zing sounded in my ears. l felt as if was
| going mad, and the thought of the great ship
in charge Of mailman on the bridge flashed
across me. A wild feeling, that it would be
better to throw myself overheard crept into
my soul, and believe did make step over
to the side, when ray of light broke in upon
me. The turmoil in my brain grew still, and
a voice distinctly said in my car
"Stop the shipw
II looked round sharply left and right, but
there was nota creature ON the bridge ex-
cept myself l leaned over and looked down
on to the deck, but IL was deserted, silent, and
dark. l even glanced aloft; but of course
saw nothing there except gaunt yards and
the slender braces and lifts
SAIL right fore and aft, sir" came Thomp-
sons voice, and his dusky form doomed out
of the shadow.
"What order did the Captain give just be-
fore you came up? | asked Not that for
a moment thought that it was his voice which
| had heard, but | wanted to see If the boat
SWANS mate had noticed anything
Order, sir? Why the capen be turned
in.
But did not you hear some one say stop
the ship" just as you got to the ladder foot?
mo, sir, that III take my davy on.
VERY, well, you may 60, but mind you
keep sharp lookout"
GAY, ay sir y and the man moved away.
felt inclined 10 laugh at myself for an old
woman, when a chilly feeling crept once
more upon me, and something within me this
time earnestly said:
'Stop the ship!'
Il shook the feeling off, however, and de-
termined to give way no longer to morbid
fancies. lighted a pipe, and began to pace
briskly 10 and fro, from port to starboard and
starboard to port. But, though all traces of
fear and terror vanished, yet ever those
words came ringing in my ear, and the faster
l walked the more plainly heard
Stop the ship! Stop the ship p
again hailed the watch: All right for
ward? Can yoU see anything ahead? and |
peered out into the darkness round.
"All clear ior'ard, but we can't see more
than ten yards, sang out Thompson, sullen-
ly.
so once more began my measured tramp
but louder and louder came the command in
tones of frantic entreaty-
Stop the ship! Stop the shipw
ut was no use striving longer; felt some
potent influence force me to the cngine-room
telegraph. seized the handle, and for a
moment paused as l thought of the confu-
sion and alarm which was about TO cause,
aud how angry the sleeping captain would
be at my daring to do such thing without
his orders The next instant rang: Easy
ahead felt the engines throb more slow
y. Yet again heard, almost madly-
stop the ship"
And without moments further hesitation
| rang stop" and soon the throbbing ccas-
ed entirely. ! heard EXPLANATIONS of sur
prise from the foksel. There was a rare
commotion on the deck as the captain rush.
ed up the ladder in anxious haste, but before
he could reach my side, the resistless power
had overcome me again, and l rang down
"Full speed astcrn."
"ln heavens name, what's the matter,
Brown? heard the astonished captain say
as the mighty screw began to race astern, and
forcibly pull up, as it were, the great ship,
which still forged gently ahead.
Before l could answer, or even glance
aroand, a loud shout from the lookout on
the bows An iceberg right on US = was fol-
lowed by slight shock and culver and
rattle as we ran stem on to the towering
monster. What our fate would have been |
had we been steaming at full speed, you may
guess; instead of carrying you home to- |
night the old Sandman would be lying faith |
oms deep, and her loss would have added one
more to the mysteries OF the sea"
There was dead silence as the speaker |
ended, and we pulled our pipes thoughtfully |
for few moments, until he added
That is queer yarn, know, and if you
can explain it so much the better. | have
often tried to do so to myself, but cannot | |
believe some unseen spirit was sent to save |
those helpless souls that night, in spite of all |
the clever reasons which scientific men find |
for the existence of such things, and know
that but for that powerful impulse which |
could not resist, we should have rushed upon
our DOOM My yarn is true one"
Then glancng up aloft, he said
"The wind is hauling round, and we must
have some of that canvass off her at once.
With a CHEEKY goodnight he left me, and |
went below and turned into my berth, the
shrill notes of the bo'sun's whistle, mixed up |
with the creaking Of blocks and the "haul |
10y" of the watch in my cars, as | thought |
over the curious story which was told me by |
the second officer.